MANHUNT OVER: Escaped Convict Shot To Death

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BEDFORD, Ia. -- The Iowa Department of Public Safety says a convicted felon who escaped from a minimum security prison Friday was killed early Tuesday morning during a home invasion.

DCI Special Agent Mitch Mortvedt says Rodney Long entered the home of Jerome and Carolyn Mauderly around 10:15 p.m. Monday. The Mauderlys live on Highland Avenue in rural Bedford.

Long was armed with a semi-automatic hand gun and held the couple against their will. He had disabled the home phone and had made a few calls using the couple’s cell phone.

About four hours into the incident, the Mauderlys decided to fight back.

“As the situation wore on, a decision was made by the Mauderlys that they were going to defend themselves,” DCI SAC Mitch Mortvedt said.

At 2:11 a.m., Carolyn Mauderly called 911. Dispatch was able to make contact with the Mauderlys at 2:13 a.m and learned someone had been shot.

An Iowa State Patrol trooper had been on Highland Avenue, very near the couple’s home and was able to respond immediately. When the trooper arrived he found Long dead, facedown on the kitchen floor.

Officials say Jerome Mauderly killed Long, using a shotgun.

“I don't know how he got a hold of the gun to do it, but they said four hours. That’s enough to break anyone down,” neighbor Wayne Strong said.

Officials had been searching for Rodney Long since Friday, when he escaped from a facility in Clarinda. Sunday night, Taylor County Sheriffs deputy Dan Wyckoff spotted him just east of New Market. When the deputy moved closer to Long, police say Long opened fire.

Wyckoff was flown by helicopter to an Omaha hospital. He is listed in stable condition with non-life threatening injuries.